What flowers to plant for summer colour

Once the soil has lost its chill, many flower seeds can be sown straight into a pre-prepared garden bed. In colder areas, though, you’ll either have to wait till it’s warmer, or start seedlings in pots that can be kept in a warm spot.

Sunflowers are the blooms that we most associate with summer. And they’re so easy to grow from seed they’ll make a great school holiday seed-sowing project for kids. Our favourite is Sunflower Bronze Shades, but most kids will be sure to vote for the extra tall (up to 5m!) Sunflower Ginormous FlowerZilla with its classic, sun-facing, large yellow heads.

Nasturtiums, like sunflowers, have seeds that are a satisfying size to handle. Get onto nasturtium sowing quickly, though, because they don’t like germinating when soil conditions become too hot. Try Nasturtium Cherry Rose or Nasturtium Jewel Mixed. Not only do nasturtiums have bright and colourful summer flowers, but every part of the plant is also edible. And, if you want to set kids a dexterity challenge, get them to roll beads of water around on the nasturtium leaf without allowing the drops fall over the edge.

Everlasting Daisy Mixed Hybrids are another group of summer flowers that children will enjoy growing. They love the feel of the papery petals and appreciate their long-lasting qualities. Did you know that the French call them immortelles because of their long life?

Petunias are probably the most widely grown summer flowers. Although they can be started from seed, petunia germination can be a little challenging. The seeds must be exposed to some light but this, of course, makes them vulnerable to drying out. Lightly press the tiny seeds of Petunia Neptune Shades into the surface of some Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Keep the pot in a shaded spot and cover with plastic wrap or a sheet of glass. Avoid dislodging the tiny seeds by watering with a mister or by wetting from the base. After germination, transplant to larger pots and then into a sunny spot in the garden.

Zinnias are cheery summer flowers that have made a fashion comeback in recent years. Zinnia Gold Medal is a big grower that can reach up to 1.2 metres in height. Pinch out the first buds to encourage sideways branching. It's ideal for picking, too.

Keep flowering plants looking good by removing dead blooms, cutting back leggy plants and continually feeding with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food or liquid feed with Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate. Use Yates Rose Gun Spray Ready to Use to treat most of the common pests and diseases.

Related products

Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food

Specially formulated to grow all types of flowers. With high potassium for large & abundant flowers, added calcium & iron for stronger flowers.

Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix

Specially formulated for trouble-free seed raising in trays (or outdoor seed sowing direclty into the ground) and propagation of cuttings.

Yates Rose Gun Spray - Ready to Use

A combination of systemic fungicide and contact insecticide. Kills pests and mites on contact and works from within the plant to control black spot, powdery mildew and rust on roses and ornamentals in the home garden.